Perez Soto wasn’t giving up, however. He tried maneuvering, swerving the Black Falcon from one direction to another on a zigzag course.
The people on the Easy Action heard the boom of a small cannon. Looking at the cutter, they saw a puff of smoke from its forward gun. Then they saw a splash as a shell dropped just in front of the Falcon’s bow.
“If he doesn’t heave to now, the next projectile will be directed at the ship,” Mr. Mahenili said.
But Perez Soto had had enough. He heaved to. The cutter came alongside, and two Coast Guardsmen, guns in hand, boarded her.
“I imagine our troubles with Perez Soto are at an end,” Mr. Mahenili said.
“This is your doing?” Tom Brewster asked.
Hank nodded his head. “Kidnaping. I reported Perez Soto as having kidnaped Dr. Weber. He’ll be dealt with harshly. One witness against him will be Tokawto. He’s recovering. It was Perez Soto who gave him that stab wound.”
“Well, you really did get around in Hilo, Mr. Mahenili,” Biff said.
“I don’t like to leave any loose strings dangling. Incidentally, did Dr. Weber ever tell you how he happened to be abducted from his hotel room?” Hank asked Tom Brewster.
“Yes, he did. He was talking to me when he felt a sharp point in his back. That was the call I took in Indianapolis, Biff. It was Perez Soto. With a sharp knife at his back and Perez Soto threatening to use the knife, there was nothing the doctor could do but obey instructions. They walked out of the porch entrance and through the garden to a waiting car. Madeira was the driver.”